Homoeopathic medicines are given in the form of globules or tinctures,
the latter being generally preferred by homeopathic practitioners.
When contrasted with the doses of drugs given by allopathists, the
small doses administered by homoeopathists must at first sight appear
wholly in adequate to the purpose for which they are given; but
homoeopathists, whose dilution and trituration diffuse the drug given
throughout the vehicle in which it is administered, argue that by this
_extension of its surface_ the active power of the drug is greatly
increased; and that there is reason in this argument is shown by the
fact that large doses of certain drugs administered for certain
purposes will pass through the system without in any way affecting
those organs, which will be acted on most powerfully by the very same
drugs when administered in much smaller doses. Thus a small dose of
sweet spirit of nitre will act on the skin and promote perspiration,
but a large dose will act as a diuretic only, and exert no influence
on the skin.